Minnesota’s Tim Walz Indicators Catalytic Converter Legislation
Catalytic converter and exhaust system. The Minnesota regulation will make it unlawful to own a catalytic converter except it’s marked with the date the converter was faraway from a car, amongst different provisions. (Tony Savino/Getty Pictures)
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed laws to crack down on catalytic converter theft within the state, the newest in a collection of strikes by state lawmakers to assist residents fight what has turn into a nationwide downside.
The wide-ranging regulation comprises provisions resembling making it unlawful to own a catalytic converter except it’s marked with the date the converter was faraway from a car, together with the car identification variety of that car or some different to the VIN. It additionally addressed paying restitution prices to identifiable victims.
Too many Minnesotans have tales concerning the hazard and monetary penalties of getting their catalytic converter stolen.
I used to be proud to signal a bipartisan invoice into regulation that can crack down on catalytic converter thefts whereas defending Minnesotans’ piece of thoughts. pic.twitter.com/MyiafBeQBA
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) March 21, 2023
“Too many Minnesotans have tales concerning the hazard and monetary penalties of getting their catalytic converter stolen. This laws will assist shield Minnesotans’ property and produce peace of thoughts. Those that commit these brazen crimes ought to know that there might be accountability,” Walz mentioned.
Felony penalties within the regulation are substantial, with the bottom being two misdemeanors for illegally possessing, shopping for or buying one to 2 catalytic converters. The utmost felony penalty is a felony with as much as 20 years imprisonment and/or high-quality as much as $100,000 for illegally having or shopping for over 70 catalytic converters.
Greater than 20 legislators in Minnesota backed the measure, formally titled Home File No. 30, which was sponsored by state Rep. Ruth Richardson to ascertain necessities for getting catalytic converters and offering penalties. The laws on March 9 sailed by the Home with a 109-19 vote after passing the Senate (40-25) six days earlier. With Walz’s signature March 13, the regulation takes impact Aug. 1.
State Sen. John Marty, who had launched an identical invoice, thanked Richardson and Walz for his or her efforts to deal with the issue.
“After years of inaction, now we have lastly taken an essential step in defending Minnesotans. This laws will crack down on the black market that offers in stolen catalytic converters, and offers regulation enforcement instruments they should cease unhealthy actors,” Marty mentioned.
Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau CEO David Glawe earlier this yr mentioned, “From provide chain disruptions to the exploding market worth of treasured metals, catalytic converters have turn into a main goal for thieves throughout the nation.”
In Arkansas, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on March 13 signed into regulation Home Invoice 1365 amending state statute on information maintained by scrap steel recyclers. It additionally created authorized offenses for catalytic converter thefts and unauthorized possession.
In the meantime, on this legislative session Missouri lawmakers have been sorting by three payments launched to deal with catalytic converter theft.
Texas lawmakers even have Senate Invoice 465 (making a felony offense for catalytic converter theft and growing felony penalties) at the moment making the rounds within the 88th Legislature.
The New Jersey Legislature has a invoice (A4784) that’s at the moment into account to require car identification numbers be stamped on catalytic converters.
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